The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-07-03
A WOMAN'S HEROIC DEEDS.
now MISS VAN LEW AIDED THE
UNION CAUSE DURING THE WAR.

WARRINGTON. July 2-Ihe reductlOn On
Miss Van Low from O t1.2OO clerkship In the
Post ONCE Department to the s720 grade will
add fuel to the flames kindled BY the rebel
flag episode. There isn't an old soldier OF the
Army OF the Potomac who doesn't remember
tho pluoky little war heroine with gratitude,
and who wouldn't resent any attempt to do
her an injnstioe. Miss Van Lew is petite.
sweet-facod lady. nearly 90 years old. Her
father was wealthy hardware merchant In
Richmond. and her mother came from the
Clapp family OF Philadelphia. The Van LEWIS
enjoyed high social position In Richmond and
were connected by largo relationship with
many Confederate families. The family, how
ever was thoroughly loyal, and Miss Van Low,
remaining in Richmond all through the war.
was able to do tho Union forces invaluable
service.
The Van Lew homestead IL one Of the famous
places Of Richmond, and many Northern
soldier has occasion to remember II with graft
tude to It's present owner. It stands on Church
Hill overlooking the James River, and en-
braces ten, or twelve acres. It is the original
A high brick wall surrounds Il. and the grounds
SsI s$spsed o giving rsuss e sss,spia 81;
s To- the yen Isx homo tos The White ASSss
suspision d her aid g the Union Generals i
would have been eontlseaied Gov Lee ytsited
hsvs tsps
s arg wSsn hESas nsdB HAYES es in
Richmond she was reduced to poverty.
sha AND
his two terms. performing. the duties OF the
known. that Postmaster: General Key. and
Hayes had another candidate in spite Of Gen.
Sa he Sasnsss %en q ss United IN
Ssss VIII r. s.sssa N Mi
Gent oierk In the. Post once and was waited
on by defiant delegation Of other clerks DE-
missed tho deieestion. and appointed s1bsti-
tutes When. at the close Of the war, mob
thronSed about her house and threatened to
before them and made . speech: she admitted
that she had been In Communication with Con.
.a aras Ss1 III sns width
sin1le stick q my property you will suffer for It.
son Nh t. ssssa
siter name Of men whom shn Recognized until
ehe Was forced into the service Of a spy By the
fact that she was known to be loyal.
ass s snd ssnss sssa hs
ordeal: but loved the Union: snd P.trio.ism
rin." more thought than love OF friends or
= She came into communication with Gen.
n se Ct a p seb
day and asked n the coniederates had
ssx fss' sl Write n.s stHfssa s sa
sn "a sna ss # to % S s That
she SIP Sehss aed
old Of Bits Of paper she rumpied and soilsd them
and sent them out OF the lines to tho Union
All through the war Miss Van Low sent tho
had M lie s1 Var D aS sa n
sn tSs fsbs
re9iments, 6rigadss. and divisions, there move
and ne 1asg wes
nisSod her plans Of the rebel fortilcations. This
mans little charts Of the defences around
Richmond and Petersburg were great hclp
Miss Van. Lew on one occasion was com.
handed b. Cen Butler It, t. deliver in person to
such great Importance that It could 10
handed dsn su as ss her aasa
presence Of Gen. Winder. and while standing
hardly 81 feet from him: Had his man failed
have been forfeited in an Instant.
hs SPY asn whsS s
farm 9n the other side OF tho James. be.
into H town e sell milk ehiokens, yesetsbies'
m la
by a Richmond shoemaker now doing bust:
1 nsy they out into s ws s' srs
as sfRar ssps oa o
scout received them. Thus Gen. GSsp. had
tei aPS sy 81 liz poas sal I
vSP Lew early ths l is9IIiowIns mSrnins ,,.. w.
ss sss Sic asRns n
II the ia
a.. ms0 sssa;sa & IL
e .Ss e ssSs FFi'
ers who had threatened to XIII him, His plan
was to order prisoner 70 60 into the Kitchen
place the bewilderod prisoner would ind
Confederate uniform, put 1t on. and pass out
into the street. the guards maxim no Ques-
In the street one OF Miss Van Lewis negro ser
wants would accost the escaped prisoner. who
was known by q secret mark on the right
sleeve Of the uniform, and conduct him to His
mistress house. There no would be secro,ed
until u chance came to get him out OF tho city.
Col. Streight Of Indiana will hardly be pleased
to learn OF Miss Van Lewis recent misfortune.
Sho was tho guiding star Of that famous escaps.
streight and his comrades were concealed in
OF JoiT bayis's house. and Miss Van Lew Ted
them and finally managed their safe light
out Of the city. At one time Gen. Ricketts,
was held as one Of seven hostages.
Although he was severely wounded. this little
lady fed and nursed him and used her
influence to have him spared the fate that
impended. The officers at Libby prison re-
fused to allow Miss Van Low to carry food. to
the sick and wounded. and she appealed
until she carried It before the Sec
En- ssdoptod thu Ingenious %rsument Ss sab
hitting 70 one officer after another a specimen
OF her bread, soup and custard and other deli
cacies. to show that she only wanted to do
the poor follows = Kindness. They
al ate the epstards and soups. bqt
disappointment. she again presented herself
at tho gates Of the prison with basketful Of